Say what you want about the personality of President Donald J. Trump, but for Israel Trump is the dream American President for Israeli security. Not because Trump appreciates Israel or vice-versa, but because the Netanyahu Israeli government pushed the right buttons to magnify his potential with regard to sensible Middle East policies that produced maximum impact.
That is not to say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not confront some hiccups along the way. One that comes to mind is the notorious phone call Trump had with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, which ended up with Trump ordering US troops out of Syria and a total abandonment of our allies the Kurds.
Overall, however, Israel got pretty much all it wanted from Donald Trump and then some. For that, one must credit the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer who worked the halls of power like Houdini works a baby lock. Without a doubt, Dermer, quietly, has been the most effective Israeli Ambassador in modern history.
“Impulsively” is the word here.
Trump may be the dream American President today, but he could turn as fast as the nightmare American President for Israel
TRUMP IS THE PERFECT MAN TO INFLUENCE
Everyone knows certain facts about Donald Trump that are hard to miss after almost four years in office, and a galore of tell-all books. The man is as immoral as they come. He is a narcissist dumb fool who feels no shame or remorse, and who is willing to do anything to serve his interests regardless of what laws he breaks. And this is the nicest way we can put it. There are so many bad adjectives that meet the criteria to describe Trump, it saddens our heart to think a great number of American voted for him. Only third-world banana republics suffer from such rulers.
But instead of dwelling on his character, Israel sought to take advantage of his weaknesses to advance its security, which in reality, considering the close relationships and the alliance both the US and Israel enjoy, also happen to be in the best interests of the United States. Some may differ on this score but history is witness to this truth in spades. With the exception of the Obama eight-year era riddled with diplomatic faux-pas and unforgivable mistakes — such as Obama inviting Iran to conquer the region and ignoring Putin’s threats when he occupied and annexed the Crimea — both the United States and Israel stand on the same side of history and fighting the same enemies.
Think the bold move of U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. But also think Trump campaign ads displaying Nazi symbols, which Facebook promptly removed.
TRUMP IS THE DREAM AMERICAN PRESIDENT FOR ISRAELI SECURITY
Because of Trump’s selfish personality always looking for an angle to milk it to his own self interests, it was easy for Israel to see the President’s inclination to help. Why? Because his evangelical base demanded it and also because it suited Trump. He needed the PAC money and support of many American Jews to fill the coffers of his 2020 campaign. That’s not to say they did. In fact, Trump attacked three American-Jewish billionaires for ignoring his calls. When googled, it is not hard to find an array of articles on this subject.
In return, many American Jews who see Israel as an insurance policy against future Holocausts, took big checks to Trump. They asked the President to keep vigil over Israeli security.
Think the bold move of U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Think Trump recognizing Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights. And also think the paralyzing sanctions against all of Israel’s nemeses in the region. All good for Israel and the U.S.
But also think Trump campaign ads displaying Nazi symbols, which Facebook promptly removed. Or his anti-Jewish tweets. Remember this image he tweeted?
Trump may be the dream American President today, but he could turn as fast as the nightmare American President for Israel.
The fact is Trump has been good to Israel and vice-versa because both need each other. Had it not for Trump seeking re-election, he would have treated the Israelis like he treats Muslims today. Streaks of antisemitism in his language and history can fill books. In fact, if he is elected for office another four years, American Jews need to watch out for his Nazi tendencies.
You think Trump did not know taking advice from Erdogan will rub Israel the wrong way? Yet, he impulsively ordered US troops out of Syria. Regardless the harm his action could cause to the Kurds and to our ally Israel.
Drey can be forgiven because he did not know about the German people as much as American Jews know today about a big slice of the American people
WATCH OUT FOR TRUMP’S SECOND TERM
The man is very capable of pushing the Jews to the side the way he pushed the peaceful protesters outside the White House with pepper spray and tear gas. He is only the dream American President as long as it suits his own self interests.
It is highly probable the honeymoon will end, win or lose for Trump, after the 2020 elections. And if anyone believes that Donald Trump will always stand by Israel out of affinity, or commitment, or honor, or empathy, that person is a bigger fool that Trump himself.
The only difference is that the damage he can cause is infinitesimally small if he loses the elections as compared to the problems he can cause American Jewry when millions of racists and white supremacists stand by him and he has nothing to lose.
Remember what Paul Drey, an American Jewish observer of Hitler’s early rallies, said when asked if Hitler’s agitators will get too far. His reply:
Of course not! The German people are much too intelligent to be taken in by such scamps.
Drey can be forgiven because he did not know about the German people as much as American Jews know today about a sizable slice of the American people. All led by a U.S. President with Germanic roots and a history of unapologetic racism and antisemitism.
To powerful Trump voters, think hard before you vote for him again. Rather, work on Joe Biden to avoid Obama’s mistakes and influence. How? Make sure past officials like John Kerry and Susan Rice remain inconsequential the next four years. Obama will get the message loud and clear.
Let us all swing the pendulum back to centrist politicians and policies to make America the greatest ever. Centrism inspires compromise and conciliatory legislative agendas while sidelining antisemitism.
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